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3 Eagles' Storylines You Shouldn't Buy Into

By Andrew Porter

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Sometimes we believe things we read and hear, even if they aren't true. And it today's social media driven world, where everyone has a voice, it's hard to sift through the appropriate content.

This might be magnified to the 10th degree when it comes to the NFL, and specifically, the Eagles. With the outpouring of media we consume, it's easy to get wrapped up in a story that isn't necessarily true.

Here are three Eagles' storylines that I'm not buying into. Could I be wrong? Sure. And that's the ironic part of all this.

 

3. Chip Kelly made the wrong decision in trading LeSean McCoy for Kiko Alonso

LeSean McCoy
ORCHARD PARK, NY - SEPTEMBER 13: LeSean McCoy #25 of the Buffalo Bills runs in for a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium on September 13, 2015 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

Kiko Alonso is likely facing season ending surgery for the second year in a row, on the same left knee. Not good. But let's be real: Alonso is a 25-year-old linebacker making less than $1 million for this season and next season, while LeSean McCoy is a 27-year-old running back, who has 146 rushing yards and a bad hamstring through three games with the Bills, after signing a five-year deal worth $40 million.

For McCoy, not only did the Eagles get Alonso, but they used the cap space to help sign other players and filled the running back position with DeMarco Murray AND Ryan Mathews. Now, I get it---Murray's number are worse than McCoy's, his contract is the same, and he has a bad hamstring too. Fine. It's only three weeks, but fine.

Point is: The Eagles essentially traded McCoy for Alonso, Murray, Mathews, and Walter Thurmond. It was, and still is, a no-brainer---no matter the results.

 

2. Sam Bradford is even remotely closed to being benched

Sam Bradford
Sam Bradford #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images)

Don't talk to me about Nick Foles. Don't talk to me about Mark Sanchez. You want to talk about Sam Bradford? Sure, let's talk, but he's the starting QB of the Philadelphia Eagles and that is not going to change.

Has Bradford struggled at times through three games? Without question. His numbers---73-117 (62.4%), 678 yards, 3 TD's, 4 INT's---are far from electrifying. And the Eagles' offense---a rhythm offense that has been known to be streaky---has struggled, take away the second half in Atlanta and the first half at the Jets.

But it's not just Bradford. The Eagles' offensive line and pass catchers have underwhelmed as well, to put it politely.

Maybe the Nelson Agholor hype was over-the-top, but where the heck is he? The Eagles lead the NFL with 10 drops, including a few wheel routes to running backs that looked like sure-fire big gains, if not touchdowns.

Darren Sproles
Darren Sproles drop (NFL Game Rewind screen shot)

The point: Sam Bradford needs to be better, and I think he will be, but he's the starting quarterback and it's not even a question.

 

1. There is a running back controversy

Philadelphia Eagles v New York Jets
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 27: Ryan Mathews #24 of the Philadelphia Eagles scores a touchdown in the second quarter as Demario Davis #56 of the New York Jets defends at MetLife Stadium on September 27, 2015 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

So after one game where Ryan Mathews rushes for a modest 108 yards of 25 carries (4.3 average) with DeMarco Murray out with a hamstring injury, all the sudden Mathews is the clear-cut best running back on the roster and deserves the majority of the carries? Wake up people.

Yes, Murray struggled mightily in his first two games with the Eagles, but he didn't suddenly become awful. The dude is a two-time Pro Bowler and the reigning rushing champion. The offensive line was dreadful in the first two games and the Eagles' rushing attack never got going. Against the Jets, the o-line was better, and Mathews reaped the benefits.

And I'm not trying to take anything away from Mathews. Both running backs are very good football players. And I didn't even mention the speedy Darren Sproles.

The Eagles have a very desirable situation at RB, just as we anticipated back in the Spring. The media will react weekly to the team's leading rusher, but it doesn't---and shouldn't---matter.

The point: All three running backs will continue to get carries, but Murray will lead the team in carries at season's end, make no mistake.

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